Clinical significance of sialic acid in the CSF; in relation to the malignancy and leptomeningeal dissemination

We examined the level of sialic acid in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 20 patients with brain tumor, and 5 patients with non-neoplastic disease of central nervous system. CSF concentration of sialic acid in the patients with malignant and semi-malignant or benign brain tumor was 5.26 +/- 2.39 mg/dl, and 1.82 +/- 1.61 mg/dl, respectively. In patients with non-neoplastic disease, it was 1.64 +/- 1.53 mg/dl. The difference between groups was statistically significant (p less than 0.005). In two patients with malignant brain tumor, the level of sialic acid was decreased by radiation therapy or intrathecal chemotherapy. In conclusion, CSF concentration of sialic acid was significant of diagnosis of brain tumor character of malignancy, and effect of therapy for CSF dissemination.     

Myxofibroma of the maxilla: a case report with computed tomogram findings

A rare case of a large myxofibroma of the maxilla is presented. Computerized tomographic features, in conjunction with clinical appearance, were highly suggestive of a definitive diagnosis. Computerized tomography may play an important role in the planning of surgical management of this tumor known for its local aggressiveness and high recurrence rate.     

Uterus didelphys with unilateral imperforate vagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis

Uterus didelphys with unilateral imperforate vagina is rare. Interestingly, in all reported cases in which the urinary tract was investigated renal agenesis was found on the side of the obstructed hemivagina. We report 2 cases of this unusual and interesting condition, and review the embryogenesis of müllerian duct abnormalities associated with renal agenesis, as well as the clinical findings, diagnosis and management. We stress the importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis, and treatment as a means to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.     

The effect of bismuth subnitrate on cisplatin toxicity

Bismuth subnitrate (BSN), a bismuth compound medically used for antidiarrheics, was orally administered to see whether it can reduce CDDP nephrotoxicity or not. Thirteen patients aged 19 approximately 60 with ovarian cancer entered this BSN-CDDP trial. A total of thirty three courses of BSN-CDDP treatment was undergone. BSN was administered orally at a dose of 50 mg/kg for five days before CDDP therapy. CDDP was infused for two hours. No vigorous hydration or diuresis was performed. Only 2,000 ml of saline with 20 mEq per liter of KCl was given for post-hydration. The median dose of CDDP was 100 mg/m2. The renal toxicity of BSN-CDDP treatment was minimum. 82% of the courses at the sixth day after the treatment had creatinine clearance levels which were more than 80% of those before the treatment. But twenty-four hour NAG and beta 2-microglobulin excretion were significantly increased. Bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal disturbance were commonly observed. The results of our study indicate that BSN pretreatment reduces the renal toxicity of CDDP to some extent.     

Regulation of cell-mediated immunity in cutaneous leishmaniasis

There is now good evidence that cell-mediated immunity (CMI) rather than humoral antibody plays a causal role in acquired immunity to leishmaniasis. In genetically susceptible strains of mice, the failure to control the disease progression is associated with a population of Lyt-2-T cells which can prevent the induction or expression of curative CMI and hence exacerbate disease development. Susceptible BALB/c mice can be rendered resistant to L. major infection by prior sublethal dose gamma-irradiation, anti-mu antibody treatment from birth, anti-L3T4 antibody treatment or intravenous (i.v.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) route of immunisation with killed L. major promastigotes or isolated leishmanial antigens. The route of immunisation, however, appears crucial in the induction of prophylactic immunity. Subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramuscular routes of immunisation with killed promastigotes are not only ineffective, they induce a population of Lyt-2- L3T4+ T cells which inhibit the prophylactic effect of i.v. immunisation. Although both the disease-promoting T cells and the host-protective T cells express the same phenotypic cell surface markers, they differ functionally. Protective T cells produce interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and macrophage-activating factor (MAF) when cultured in vitro with leishmanial antigens, whereas the disease-promoting T cells do not. In addition, these latter cells are able to produce substances in their antigen-specific culture supernatant which inhibits the MAF activity of the host protective T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Suppressive effect of lentinan on pulmonary metastases in murine tumors

Lentinan has been shown to have a suppressive effect on the natural pulmonary metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma, though its effect seems to depend on the timing of the administration. Administration of lentinan after the amputation of tumor was found to be more effective than before administration. Additionally, lentinan also has shown a marked suppressive effect on the pulmonary metastasis of MC-CS-1 fibrosarcoma, a high sensitive tumor for lentinan in any administration examined. These date suggest the usefulness of lentinan in suppressing tumor metastasis.